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Book Review - The Beader's Palette - Rings, Necklaces, Bracelets, Ensembles, Earrings & Straps
The Beader's Palette - Rings, Necklaces, Bracelets, Ensembles, Earrings & Straps
by Ondori
Paperback: 80 pages
Publisher: Ondorisha Publishers, Ltd.; (April 2003)
ISBN: 488996097X
Ondori's book offers a wide array of Japanese designs, with instructions all given in English! The beaded accessories offer something for everyone, whether your preference is stringing, offloom techniques, or wirework. In contrast to some books, all of these designs can be achieved using standard sizes and shapes of beads. |
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I delayed getting this book for a long time because I didn't see anything noteworthy in the 'look inside this book' section at Amazon and because the book had gotten mixed reviews there. Sigh... it just goes to show that you can't always get a good sense of a book from the few preview pages put online. I wish I had gotten The Beader's Palette sooner, since it is excellent!
First, it's by Ondori, the Japanese craft mavens. This is a book of step-by-step beaded jewelry projects. The designs are intended to cover a wide range of tastes, both for techniques and style. You will find stringing, offloom beadweaving, and wirework. All of the beads are 'normal' sizes and shapes, so the projects are very accessible to most beaders. You'll find elegant colors schemes and graceful, wearable designs. Beautiful color photographs of all of the designs are presented at the front of the book, followed by labeled descriptions of materials and techniques, and then directions for the projects.
Now, there are a couple of points to keep in mind: First, measurements are given in metric units. Bead sizes are given in millimeters, which is only confusing when it comes to seed beads (most larger beads are sold in mm units anyway). You can line up seed beads on a ruler to find the closest match. Also, lengths are given in centimeters or meters. Again, if you are using English units this shouldn't cause a difficulty as long as your measuring tape is marked. The diagrams (black/white) are very clear and well-marked. The techniques are not appropriate for an absolute novice (need to have control over tension and should possess basic loop skills with wire), but I don't think an experienced beader will be confused by the thread paths. I like the diversity of the patterns and I love that only standard materials are used... no hard-to-find beads or findings. It's similar in style and tone to Ondori's Art of Antique Beading and the translated-into-English Antique Style Bead Accessories and Bead Fantasies, but with very little overlap of content. Very highly recommended!
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